A new citizens committee is meeting Monday:

CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee
Date: 4/29/2013 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room
300 N. Lee Street

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizens Advisory Committee is charged with providing recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding the use of the federal entitlement funding received by the City of Valdosta through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

For more information, contact the Neighborhood Develoopment at (229) 671-3617.

Who’s on it? Hard to say, although her law firm announced Jessica Young appointed to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee… for a four year term ending February 2017.

Why does it exist? Apparently it was a requirement of a HUD block grant:

The CDBG Advisory Committee was formed in compliance with the Citizen Participation Plan of the City’s Community Development Block Grant.

Yep, that’s why:

Community Development Block Grant regulations, as found in 24 CFR 91.100-91.115, requires all Entitlement grantees to certify that they are following a Citizen Participation Plan. To comply with these requirements the city will form a Citizen Advisory Committee consisting of seven members. All members shall be appointed by the City Council. The Neighborhood Development staff will work with these neighborhoods to identify residents interested in serving on the committee. All appointees to the CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee shall serve four-year terms.

How big was the grant? The city expected $647,678; here’s Mara Register explaining the plan to the Valdosta City Council 7 April 2011. HUD thinks it actually allocated $564,566 in 2011, and it looks like most of it usually goes towards housing.

-jsq

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